THEY came in their thousands - some dressed as nuns, playboy bunnies and even oversized bananas - and helped the biggest ever BUPA Great Manchester Run to raise more than é1 million for charity.

Runners of all ages took part. They were hugged by proud relatives as they completed the race and were given their medals. They had tired legs, flushed faces and big smiles as they strolled through the streets wrapped in silver foil blankets to keep warm after the 10km event.

There were 20,000 competitors - 4,000 more than last year.

As soon as Manchester United legend Denis Law and Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell fired the starting pistol a river of runners flooded the streets including Dr Who, Salford-born actor Christopher Ecclestone appearing as himself.

Thousands of spectators lined the route cheering on sporting heroes as well as mums, dads, children, brothers, sisters and friends raising money for their chosen charity.

Among the runners was Adam Renshaw, 24, from Sale, dressed as a Red Indian and taking part with his father Derek, 59. He said: "I'm running to raise é350 for Christie Against Cancer because my mum is suffering from cancer and I want to help her and anyone in her position."

Heart

Robert Goodinson, 41, from Oldham Rugby League club, ran as Reded the Roughyed despite suffering a heart attack just over a year ago.

"I wasn't too worried about my heart, and it's very important to me to be able raise a bit of money for the Red Cross," he said in a worryingly breathless fashion.

A team from the M.E.N. running for the Kirsty Howard Appeal all finished in good time. Kirsty herself enjoyed her third Great Run - and got to meet fellow runner Olympian Darren Campbell, as well as Corrie actor Anthony Cotton.

Team captain Wayne Ankers said: "It was great how supportive everyone was along the way. I started flagging towards the end and a runner I had never met talked to me and kept me going."

As the last of the valiant joggers crossed the start line, double Olympic gold medal winner Haile Gebrselassie was finishing in a UK record winning time of 27.02 minutes. He later praised the course as one of the fastest he had ever run, and promised a world record attempt when he comes back next year.

Organisers are already looking to a bigger return. Race organiser David Martin said: "We want to come back bigger and better next year. I don't know how we'll get even more people into the narrow streets, but this year we had to turn almost 10,000 people away, and where there's a will there's a way."